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Classified Ad Department
This classified ad department is started for the benefit of those
u who desire to take advantage of the best advertisin medium in the
Sstate. Have you anythin to ell or exchange? This paper will assist
Syou i getting In touch with the right party. Have you feed grain,
Sfruit or farm produce of any kind, blooded stock or chickens, trac
t tors, automobiles, farm machinery, land-anything? There are 25,
000 farmers who subseribe to this paper. Headlines will be furnish
ed for different subjects within Ulmitatios. Rates are three cents
per word for every issue. Count the words and d enclosed with
money order. All ads should reach this office Saturday before issue.
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RBBAL BESTATE
82-ROOM Apartment house for sale
or trade for ranch property. Box
893, Conrad. Mont.
LETTER CONTEST
AGtAIN
When yen sead us a copy of your
letter Ia this ematest, indicate what
book af the three offered you want,
if you win. If you own all three
books effered, tell us what book
you want, custig not more than
$1.50, and we will get it for you.
Already the farmers of this state
are getting busy in the letter-writing
contest announced in this paper last
week. We have word from practically
all counties in the state that a large
number will compete and that as a
result the message of the League is
going to be carried during the present
winter to hundreds of thousands of
farmers who hitherto have known
nothing about it, or have heard only
the side of the enemies of the organiz
ed farmers.
The first prize in the contest will
be announced if possible next week
in this paper.
If any of our readers overlooked
the announcement last week of this
important content, we give below an
other summary of the rules and reg
ulations and prizes for their benefit.
This paper is offering a prize of a
book each week from now on indefi
nitely for the best letter written by
a League farmer of this state to a
friend of his in some other state, who
is not a member of the League.
You undoubtedly have many friends
in other states who are not League
members. All you have to do to be
come a contestant for the weekly
prize offered is to write a letter to
one of these friends telling him or her
about the Nonpartisan league, what
it is, what it proposes to do, what it
has done and your opinion of it. Send
a copy of your letter to this paper.
Each week a committee of judges
will go over all letters received and
the writer of the letter adjudged the
best will receive his choice of one of
the following three books:
"The New Freedom," by President
Woodrow Wilson.
"The High Cost of Living," by
Frederick C. Howe, which tells what
is the matter with farming.
"Democracy or Despotism," by Wal
ter Thomas Mills, one of the best
known economists and writers on po
litical questions in the United States.
One of these books will be given
free each week for the best letter re
ceived during the week. You can con
test as many weeks as you have far
mer friends in other states who are
not members of the League. That is,
you can enter a letter in this contest
each week, providing that it is writ
ten to a different farmer in some
other state each week. Do not sub
mit more than one letter written to
the same friend in another state.
Remember also that the letter you
enter in the contest must be written
to a farmer eligible to join the League
and that he must live in some other
state than the one you live in, but
it does not matter whether he lives
in a state being organized by the
League or not.
If possible next week we will print
the first winning letter and award the
first prize.
Save the replies you get from far
mers in other states to whom you
write. Later we expect to offer
prizes for the best of these letters.
WHAT DOES PROGRESS
MOST DEMAND
(By J. F. McKay, State Senator.
Sanders County.)
Is it possible that every change,
every turn to advancement must be
fought for? Can it be that no useful
institution can come into existence
without being born in blood, labor and
pain? Why not master our own des
tiny, rather than allow ourselves to be
governed by the same natural laws
that govern the growth, maturity and
decay of the forest? There was a
point in the distant past, when the
private ownership of the roads was
common; when a turreted castle
guarded the approach to each, and
the till collector collected his tithe. The
old private postal accommodation,
while it antedates our own noble insti
tution, was at one time a reality. We
all know the history of the public
school. We know how close it is link
ed with that of human liberty. And
what would freedom be were it not
for this beneficial establishment? Did
it ever occur to you, my reader, that to
displace the old and replace it with
-the new, battles were fought, death
V _ _ _
and disaster proceeded every eyery
change. Is this going to go on for
ever T Well, we hope not. The old
philosopher argued that it was the
pain suffered by a mother that creat
ed the attachment for her offspring,
and "only that which we suffer for, do
we appreciate."
Sense Born of Liberty.
Can we not come to think that the
human family can appreciate without
such brutal contrasts. Have we not
a finer sense, a sease born and bred
in liberty, to require such an incong
ruous contrast. We have already
made a step in the right direction,
why not continue. The Federal Farm
Bank has caused more relief created
from genuine love of country, raised
a star of hope in the horizon of more
afflicted lives than any other similar
reform in years. Remember the way
the mortgage and loan people fought
the Federal Farm Bank. How re
luctantly these people gave way to
the more modern, more efficient and
economical system of credit for the
farmer. Man's greatest faculty is to
compare one thing with another. The
writer has had the opportunity to
compare the advantage of the farm
loan mortgage over the regular loan
aompany mortgage, Necepsity de
mands still further advancements. One
of the greatest functions of popular
government is to preserve equality.
Montesquieu in his "Spirit of Laws"
insists, "Democracy is dependent
upon, equality' and how can equality
be preserved in a more consistent
manner than taking the great bur
den of interest off the common peo
ple.
Establish Rural Credit Banks
The question naturally arises:
What can be done to relieve the situ
ation. We recommend the immedi
ate establishment of Rural Credit
Banks.
From where I sit my minds eye can
see six country banks comfortably
supporting two, three and four per
sons and in some instances paying
very tidy dividends to the stockhold
ers. These men will not reduce their
interest because it is their living. But
let us see where that living comes
from. By consulting the mortgage
record we find that a great many of
these mortgages are on farms, stock,
wagons, harness, crops, etc.
With the farm people lies the duty
of not only supplying the necessities
of life for the nation, but also to pre
pare the way for those who come af
ter us by clearing stump lands, by re
claiming arid land and draining the
marshes. Not many years past we
heard of the Ship Subsidy Bill. The
farmers are not asking for subsidies,
but protection; not protection from
competition but protection from insti
tutions which more often burden than
serve them.
If the Rural Credit Banks of Ger
many could make its people tolerate
a tyrannous Kaiser, how much more
would it make a liberty loving people
worship the country which afforded
not only political freedom, but free
dom from disadvantages of a cumber
some. ex.ensive institution.
Too Many Banks.
We have about as much use for six
banks in this little county as we have
for six courthouses. In addition to
the lower interest rates and the fa
cilities for legal regulation and su
pervision, the rural credit bank will
be the cornerstone upon which a
greater Nationalism can be built and
serve aq a foundation for the already
existing Federal Farm Loan Bank. A
free sovereign and independent people
can then look upon their institutions
as the product of their industry, just
as they can their splendid school sys
tem, the great postoffice department,
not mentioning their great and effi
cient national defense systems. Again:
A debt to the nation is an asset; a
debt to an individual is a liability. A
farmer in most instances assumes ob
ligation for the purpose of develop
ing the country. Why, then, should
he not have every facility for doing
so. And he has this facility, provid
ed, of course, he is willing to demand
it. In support of this right and power
I quote the third Article of the Con
stitution of Montana: "All political
power is vested in and derived from
the people; all government of right
originates with the people, is founded
on their will only, and is instituted
solely for the good of the whole."
We are charged, as citizens of this
great Republic, with the duty of keep
ing the laws abreast with the times.
Political Plunderers, Shameless, Poli
ticians and self-seeking shysters have
and will hamper us somewhat, but let
us believe that the sacrifice made in
the great intfrnational struggle will
lead us to the responsibility of gov
erning ourselves efficiently, economic
ally, always remembering that na
tional prosperity and happiness are
born in Liberty, Equality and Justice.
THOSE SUPERMEN.
The faults of the burglar are the
i qualifications of the financier; the
manners and habits of a duke would
cost a city clerk his situation.
G GEORGE BERNARD SHAW.
Some Resolutions
ON TOWNLEY
The national committee of the Nonpartisan league composed of
chairmen of the state committees of the 13 states in which the League
is organised last week at St. Paul adopted the following resolution,
thanking President Townley for his services to the organization and
declaring him to be the right person to continue to lead the organi
zation. The resolution was proposed by Delegate Del Patterson of
North Dakota, and seconded by Delegate J. D. Ream of Nebraska,
who besides being one of the League's national committeemen, is
master of the Nebraska State Grange. Mr. Patterson is a member of
the North Dakota legislature elected by the farmers:
We, the National Committee of the NATIONAL NONPARTI
SAN LEAGUE, assembled from 13 states desire to place on record
our recognition and appreciation of the services of our honored
President, A. C. TOWNLEY, his worth as a man, and his efficiency
in the difficult office which he has occupied as the head of this or- f
ganisation during the strenuous period of its early history, and to
which we have just re-elected him, as the man who in our unanimous
judgment, is best fitted to be at its helm during the EQUALLYT
STRENUOUS period which lies ahead of us.
His ability, his unflinching courage and the complete devotion of
his talents, to the defense and championship of the rights of the many
toilers, as against the oppression of the few who constitute the class t
of special privilege and monopoly, have won the warmest admiration, t
and the complete trust and confidence, of each and all of us, who
know him.
RECOGNIZING the great service that he is doing for the people
of the United States, and for humanity at large, it is our deliberate
opinion that he is the greatest leader of the common people, who has
arisen in this nation since the day of Abraham Lincoln, and we
PLEDGE to him our undivided and unfaltering support in the great
task that still lies before as.
The national meeting of the Nonpartisan league made a special
investigation into the amounts of money drawn personally by Presi
dent A. C. Townley and expended by him. Hhis was done by a com
mittee of one farmer from each state and the result of the investiga
tion was incorporated into the report on the League's finances and ac
counts made by the committee. In view of the bitter personal attacks
made on Mr. Townley and the wild-eyed charges made by enemies of
the League that he has squandered or misappropriated the League
funds, the delegates thought that a report of moneys drawn by Mr.
Townley should be given in detail and emphasized in the financial re
port, which was finally made.
Relative to this matter, the official auditing report says:
"In view of the misrepresentations made by the enemies of the r
Nonpartisan league that Mr. A. C. Townley has squandered and misap
propriated funds of the Nonpartisan league, the committee tabulates
all funds received and disbursed by Mr. Townley."
The committee then sets forth the facts as shown by the books, I
which are that Mr. Townley since the organizsation of the League has t
personally drawn and expended the following amounts and none
other:
From the beginning of the organization in the spring of I
....1915 to December 31, 1915.... ..................................$ 2,963.89 a
During the year 1916 ............................................ 5,247.27
During the year 1917 ............................. ........... 11,805.35
January 1, 1918, to October 31, 1918 ............................... 5,065.14
Total during 43 months .............. ....................... $26,081.65
Average per month ............................... $ 606.55
The committee goes on to say that "this amount includes Mr.
Townley's salary at $300 per month, also his traveling expenses. It
further includes expenses for automobiles, railroad fare, etc., of or
ganisers and farmers who at times accompanied Mr. Townley on his
trips and assisted him in organizsation work for the League."
In the main body of its report the auditing committee says:
"The Committee examined the personal salary and expense ac
count and all funds handled by Mr. A. C. Townley, president of the
National Nonpartisan league. Both his salary and personal expenses
are found to be normal only and are insignificant when compared
with "Big Business" salaries for services and responsibility in any
way comparable to the work performed by Mr. Townley in behalf of
the League."
Without any suggestion from Mr. Townley, the delegates after
considering the financial reports decided to authorize a raise in sal
ary for the League president.
Delegate L. L. Stair of North Dakota, a member of the legislature
of that state elected by the League, moved that Mr. Townley's salary
be increased from $3,600 per year to $5,000 per year. Several dele
gates arose to second the motion, but the chair recognized the second
of Delegate Riley Rice of Idaho, one of the prominent farmers of that
state, who, besides being active in Nonpartisan league work and a
member of the national committee, is connected with several other
prominent farmers' organizations. The motion to raise Mr. Townley's
salary was passed unanimously.
C` I
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I WO
~ap ill,;,-
v' 'N '^,1N r
-I / FARMER - WE'LL PROFIT
e / jY rHEIR MISTAK(ES
WE'LL STICI(, WE'LL WIN.
JI
-Y I
DOPE ON THE
REFERENDUM
Rules and Regulations
Ballot, National Leader
The rules and regulations, together
with the form of ballot for the refer
endum among League members on
the re-election of Mr. Townley as
president of the organization have
been decided upon.
The Nonpartisan Leader, the of
ficial magazine of the National Non
partisan league, which goes to every
League member in the United States,
on page 8 of its issue of December
23 publishes the ballot which will be
used by Leag'ue members in the ref
erendum. All League members
should be sure and cut this ballot out
of the Nonpartisan Leader, indicate
their decision by A cross in one of the
two squares provided and mail the
ballot thus voted to the
Referendum Canvassing Board
Nonpartisan League,
5th Floor, Endicott Building,
St. Paul, Minn.
Full instructions for voting in the
referendum are contained in the Non
partisan Leader for December 23, to
gether with the ballot which is to be
used. The members will receive no
ballot on which to vote other than the
one published in the Nonpartisan
Leader. The ballot will not be pub
lished in the League's state newspa
pers.
Mr. Townley personally as well as
the national convention which just ad
journed urges every League member
to vote. As near a unanimous vote
of the League membership as possible
is desired in order that whatever the
League membership's decision is in
the matter of approving or disapprov
ing Mr. Townley, it will be decisive.
It is, therefore, the duty of every
League member to vote in this refer
endum on the ballot provided in the
Nonpartisan Leader in the issue of
December 23.
Not only the decision of approving
or disapproving Mr. Townley will be
important, but it will be important to
the League to show that its members
are vitally interested in its affairs
and that the great bulk of them, if
not all of them, have taken the trou
ble to vote in this referendum, so by
all means vote your choice.
In order that the canvassing of the
returns on the referendum can be fair
in every particular, the national com
mittee which recently met, with dele
gates from 13 states, at St. Paul ap
pointed the following referendum can
vassing board to count the ballots and
announce the result:
Lynn J. Frazier, governor of North
Dakota elected by the farmers.
H. F. Samuels, candidate of the
League for governor of Idaho in the
late election.
Mark P. Bates, candidate of the
League for governor of South Dakota
in the late election.
Charles A. Lindbergh, candidate
of the farmer-labor forces for the re
publican nomination for governor in
the Minnesota primaries last summer.
David H. Evans, candidate of the
farmer-labor forces for governor of
Minnesota in the late election.
These League candidates combined
received a total vote of nearly 600,
000, including the solid vote of the
League membership, and the national
committee believes that they have the
confidence of not only the League
membership, but of all its friends,
and therefore, would be the proper
persons to count the ballots and an
nounce the result.
In voting on the ballot provided in
the Nonpartisan Leader, League mem
bers should be suP to fill out all the I
blanks given or their name, postof- I
fice address, state, township, section I
and range, and, in the event that they
can not give section, township and
range, fill in the blank given for the
name or number of the township in
which they live or the name or num
ber of the voting precinct where they
vote. This is in order to enable the
canvassing board to check up to see
that none but League members vote.
The national committee has pro
i vided for the vote of all League mem
bers whether they are in arrears in
their dues or not, or whether or not
they have re-enrolled for another two
years in the organization. The com
mittee did not desire to make any re
strictions which would in any way
hamper a free expression of farmers
who have paid their money for the
movement or have promised to pay it.
Probably one of the important rea
sons why there is so much mob vio
lence, foul trickery and official op
pression against reform movements
in the United States is the fact that
the special interests against which the
reformers fight represent something
foreign to American ideals and tradi
tions. Consequently they can not
meet the issues the reformers raise
before general public opinion.
Flat head is quite as bad in politics
as flat foot is in military life. Not
only that, but 80 per cent of the flat
Noot cases are curable.LINCOLN
(NEB.) HERALD.
LIV STC
PROFITEERING
PEOPLES FAULT
(From the New Republic)
War producers have been making
a mint of money. That appears to be
the gist of the Federal Trades Com
mission's findings. It does not strike
one as a revelation of new truth. The
low cost producers have made much
more than the others, and their rela
tive competitive position has been
strengthened. Of course, in some
cases, where the principal cost plus
profit has been applied, costs of be
ing padded and officers salaries in
flated. Of course. It has been a mat
ter of common knowledge that prices
sufficiently generous to bring out the
maximum production imperitively de
manded by war would yield an abund
ant flow of profits, especially to the
more fortunate or competent produc
ers. The remedy lay in the taxation
of war profits and excess profits. We
did not apply this remedy early
enough, or drastically enough. The
fault is our own, as a people; it is
ourselves, rather than the profiteers,
who should be investigated and ex
coriated. For not only did we per
mit the process of wealth, conventra
tion to go unchecked while we were
preoccupied with war, but now when
peace is at hand and we are confront
ed with the probability of peace prof
iteering to match war profiteering,
we listen with equamity to proposals
to eliminate even the existing sche
dules of profits taxation, inadequate
as they have proved to be.
"BIG BIZ"
OPPOSED
AS USUAL
Says No To Progress
COMMISSION OF 15 TO 25 LEAD
ERS OF INDUSTRIAL GROUPS
TO OFFER U. S. DELE
GATION SERVICES
RECONSTRUCTIONISTS URGE U.
8. CHARTERS FOR R. R'e-
FEDERAL WIRES OP
POSED.
Atlantic City, N. J., Dec 6.
Appointment of a European com
mission, representative of Ameri
can business, to go to France and
be available for any aid it might
be able to give to the peace dele
gates from the United States in
considering economic problems
that might enter into the peace
negotiations, was decided upon,
today, at the final session of the
reconstruction congress of the in
dustrial war service committees.
Other resolutions adopted urged the
speedy return, under federal charter,
to their owners, of all railroads now
operated by the government; oppos
ed government ownership and opera
tion of telegraphs, telephones and
cables; appealed for modifications of
the Sherman anti-trust laws; indors
ed the industrial creed respecting la
bor enunciated by John 4). Rockefel
ler, Jr., yesterday, and the creation of
a central board of war service com
mittees.
The proposed commission, while
abroad, will also study the reconstruc
tion needs of Europe. The size of the
body has not been decided upon, but
will probably number fifteen to twen
ty-five. It is planned to pick at least
one representative from each of the
important industrial groups of the
country.
The difficulty, it was said, will be
to find the right men willing to make
the sacrifice of staying away from
their home interests long enough to
r accomplish the work planned for the
I commission.
e The railroad resolution also urged
1 congress to enact legislation that will
- permit the elimination of "wasteful
' competition, the pooling of equipment,
a combinations or consolidations
e through ownership or otherwise in the
operation of terminals, and such oth
er practices as will tend to economize
- without destroying competition in
n service."
o "War,' 'said an English officer re
- cently, "is damn dull, damn dirty and
damn dangerous." The ancient heroes
y we hear so much of may have found
B it different, but the men who fought
e this war agree with the modern Eng
t. lishman. They want this war to be
the last, and it will be unless the com
L- mon people are outgeneraled again by
- the forces of greed and deceived by
the statemen at the peace table.
it An exchange puts it this way: "The
e kaiser has .0 castles and no home. He
g has more than a hundred uniforms
i- and no disguise, he has 50 titles and
,t no good name. He has six sons and
ie no comfort in his age."-WELLS
COUNTY (N. D) FREE PRESS.
:s The opposition press prefers to call
)t the farmers' Nonpartisan league as
t- the "Townley Nonpartisan league."
v This is once they flatter Townley.
CLAY COUNTY (MINN.) LEADER.